Editorial Commentary


Favorable long-term toxicity for salvage low-dose rate prostate brachytherapy for recurrent prostate cancer after external beam radiotherapy from a phase II prospective trial (NRG Oncology/RTOG 0526)

Randall J. Brenneman, Edward Soffen, Hiram A. Gay, Peter F. Orio III, John P. Christodouleas, John C. Baumann, Brian C. Baumann

Abstract

External beam radiotherapy (EBRT) is the most commonly employed non-surgical treatment for prostate cancer in the modern era (1). Local recurrence of prostate cancer after EBRT occurs in up to 15% of patients (2-4). Local recurrence is not only common and often symptomatic, but is also a risk factor for developing distant disease. Dose-escalated EBRT reduced local recurrence risk and need for salvage local therapy in a large Phase III trial (5); however, local recurrence after EBRT remains an important problem. The morbidity and mortality associated with local failure suggests a possible role for local salvage therapies for appropriately selected patients (6,7).

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